Tea bag cozy

ABSTRACT

An infusion system for processing a brewing material includes a pouch configured to contain a brewing material, a sealable packet configured to house the pouch, and an attachment member coupled with the pouch and the packet.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/550,667 filed Oct. 18, 1006, which claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 USC 119(e) to U.S. Patent Application No. 60/728,153 filed Oct.18, 2005. The entire content of each of these filings is incorporatedherein by reference for all purposes.

STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSOREDRESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

NOT APPLICABLE

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAMLISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK.

NOT APPLICABLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to infusion systems. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to tea bag packagingsystems, and to methods for using and constructing such systems.

Since the advent of the tea bag, many tea drinkers have enjoyed theconvenience and pleasant ritual of brewing their own cup. Certain teapackaging and distribution companies are known to sell tea bags inindividually wrapped airtight packets to insure freshness and preventcontamination. However, after steeping the brewing material in hotwater, the tea drinker is often left with a messy and soggy used teabag.

What is needed are tea bag packaging systems and method that allow teadrinkers to enjoy a cup of brewed tea without the encumbrance of anawkward and unsightly used tea bag. The instant invention addresses thisunfulfilled need by improved tea bag packaging systems and methods.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides infusion devices for processing a brewingmaterial that are well suited for ensuring a clean and efficient teadrinking experience. Advantageously, the present infusion systems allowa tea drinker to pull a used tea bag back into a packet after thebrewing process is completed. Thus, the unsightly used tea bag can beput out of sight. The present systems therefore provide a tea drinkerwith an additional level of control over the tea brewing process, andalso provide the drinker with a pleasant ritual to the brewing process.Marketing logos and other brand promotions can be placed on the packet,and thus the present invention can provide a fresh marketing focus. Atea bag manufacturer or distributor using the present invention willenjoy competitive advantages over other tea companies. Moreover, thepresent invention can be implemented in conjunction with existing,high-speed manufacturing machines, and thus is particularly useful forminimizing any cost and complexity associated with manufacture.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides tea bags that can bepackaged or distributed in individually wrapped in airtight water-proofpackets, which are ideal for restaurants, hotels, and home. Such packetsinsure freshness and reduce the chance for contamination, and allow aused tea bag to be attractively hidden. These packets also provide abeautiful surface upon which to convey image and brand identity viacolorful logos and the like.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an infusion system forprocessing a brewing material. The system can include a pouch containinga brewing material, a packet releasably housing the pouch, and anattachment member coupled with the pouch and a detachable portion of thepacket.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of using aninfusion system. The method can include opening a packet of the infusionsystem along a first tear line, removing a pouch from inside of thepacket, placing the pouch into an infusion medium, tearing a tab fromthe packet along a second tear line, and pulling the tab to return thepouch inside of the packet.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method ofconstructing an infusion system. The method can include coupling a firstsection of an attachment member with a pouch, coupling a second sectionof the attachment member with an interior portion of a packet, andsealing the pouch within the packet.

In still another aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide asystem for processing a brewing material. The system can include, forexample, a pouch containing a brewing material, a packet housing thepouch, and an attachment member coupled with the pouch and with thepacket. The packet can include a detachable portion, and the attachmentmember can be coupled with the packet via the detachable portion. Insome cases, the packet includes a seal line, and the attachment memberis coupled with the packet at the seal line. The attachment member canbe removably coupled with the packet at the seal line. In some cases,the packet includes a packet chamber, and the attachment member includesan attachment member extension that is disposed exterior to the packetchamber. In some aspects, the packet includes a seal line, and theattachment member is coupled with the packet at the seal line.Relatedly, the attachment member can be removably coupled with thepacket at the seal line. In some aspects, the packet includes a packetinsertion point, and the attachment member is coupled with the packet atthe packet insertion point. Relatedly, the attachment member can beslidably coupled with the packet at the packet insertion point. In somecases, the attachment member is detachably coupled with the packet atthe packet insertion point. In related aspects, the packet includes aseal line, and the packet insertion point is disposed at the seal line.In certain embodiments, the packet includes a first packet insertionpoint and a second packet insertion point, and the attachment member iscoupled with the packet at the first and second packet insertion pointsso as to form a loop. Relatedly, the packet may include a packetchamber, and the loop may be disposed exterior to the packet chamber. Insome aspects, the packet includes a seal line, and the first and secondpacket insertion points are disposed at the seal line. The attachmentmember can be detachably coupled with the packet. The packet can includean interior portion, and the attachment member can be coupled with thepacket at the interior portion. The attachment member may be detachablycoupled with the packet at the interior portion. Similarly, theattachment member may be slidably coupled with the packet at theinterior portion.

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the presentinvention may be realized by reference to the detailed description andclaims when considered in connection with the drawings, wherein likereference numerals are used throughout the several drawings to refer tosimilar components. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale,illustratively depict embodiments of the present invention and are notintended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate a previously known tea bag system.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate an infusion system according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an infusion system according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an infusion system according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an infusion system according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an infusion system according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides improved infusion systems, aswell as method of using and constructing such systems. Turning now tothe drawings, a known tea bag packaging system 10 is shown in FIGS.1A-1C. Tea bag packaging system 10 includes an unfolded packet 20 thatcan be folded along a fold line 22 and heat-sealed to contain a tea bag30. Typically, tea bag 30 is coupled with a tag 50 via an attachmentmember 40. When a user wishes to remove bag 30 for brewing, he tearspacket 20 along a tear line 24 and removes tea bag 30, attachment member40, and tag 50. Often, tag 50 is folded over the top of tea bag 30, andcan be separated by pulling lightly on tag 50. The user can then grasptag 50 and dip tea bag 30 into a cup of hot water 60. However, uponremoving tea bag 30 from the cup, the user is presented with aninconvenient used tea bag 30.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrates an infusion system 100 according to oneembodiment of the present invention. Infusion system 100 includes apouch 130 for holding a brewing material 132, a sealable packet 120 thathouses pouch 130, and an attachment member 140. A first section 142 ofattachment member 140 can be coupled with pouch 130, often via a pouchstaple 131, and a second section 144 of attachment member 140 can becoupled with an interior portion 121 of packet 120. Attachment member140 may be of any length, and in many cases will be long enough suchthat pouch 130 can be completely removed from packet 120 while stillbeing attached with interior portion 121 via attachment member 140. Itis appreciated that although this figure describes attachment tointerior portion 121 of packet, second section 144 can alternatively beattached with any portion of packet 120. In some cases, the portion ofpacket 120 to which second section 144 is attached is detachable fromthe remainder of the packet 120.

In use, when a tea drinker wishes to remove pouch 130 from packet 120,she can tear packet 120 along a first tear line 126, and pull pouch 130out of packet 120 or otherwise allow pouch 130 to fall out of packet 120through first tear opening 128. The tea drinker can then grasp packet120, and dangle pouch 130 into a cup of hot water 160. The tea can bebrewed while attachment member 140 is still coupled with interiorportion 121 of packet 120. When the tea is brewed the tea drinker cantear away a tab 122 of packet 120 that includes interior portion 121,typically by tearing along a second tear line 124. By holding tab 122,or by holding second section 144 of attachment member 140, the drinkercan then draw attachment member 140 through the resulting second tearopening 129 in packet 120. This action pulls pouch 130 out of cup 160and back inside of packet 120 through opening 128. As a result, usedpouch 130 is conveniently stored, and the drinker is not distracted witha messy and unsightly used pouch 130. The drinker can even use packet120 to squeeze used pouch 130 to extract the last few drops of elixirfrom pouch 130.

In some cases, infusion system 10 can be prepared with second section144 disposed externally to packet 120. Thus, after the brewing step, theuser can grasp second section 144 and pull used pouch 130 into packet120.

It is appreciated that any of a variety of means may be used to sealpacket 120 along seal lines 123. For example, seal lines 123 can beformed by heat sealing or other adhesive methods or press molding orcrimping techniques. Interior portion 121 of packet 120, to whichattachment member second section 142 is coupled, can be integral with orseparate from seal line 123. Brewing material 132 can include, forexample, tea, coffee, herbal preparations, various plant material suchas flowers, roots, stems, berries, leaves, and bark, or any otherdesired infusion material. Brewing material 132 can also dehydratedsoups, broths, bouillons, seasonings, and the like. In some cases,brewing material 132 can include pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, or othermedicinal, chemical, or biological preparations.

In some cases, as shown in FIG. 3, attachment member second section 144′can be coupled with an intermediate member 150′, which can in turn becoupled with interior portion 121′. In such instances, intermediatemember 150′ can be extended into, integrated with, or separate from sealline 123′. In one embodiment, second section 144′ is coupled withintermediate member 150′ via a second section staple 151′, and an edge152′ of intermediate member 150′ is extended into seal line 123′. Insome embodiments, tear lines 124′ and 126′ can be printed on theexterior surface of packet 120′, along with instructions for usinginfusion system 100′ according to methods as described herein.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary infusion system 400 according to embodimentsof the present invention. Infusion system 400 includes a pouch 430 forholding a brewing material 432, a sealable or sealed packet 420 thathouses pouch 430, and an attachment member 440. A first section 442 ofattachment member 440 can be coupled with pouch 430, and a secondsection 444 of attachment member 440 can be coupled with an interiorportion 421 of packet 420. As shown here, second section 444 includes anattachment member extension 446 that is removably attached with sealline 423, and that extends through seal line 423 at a packet insertionpoint 424 to the outside of packet 420.

In use, when a tea preparer wishes to remove pouch 430 from packet 420,she can tear packet 420 along a first tear line 426, and pull pouch 430out of packet 420 or otherwise allow pouch 430 to fall out of packet420. The tea preparer can then grasp packet 420, and dangle pouch 430into a container of water. The tea can be brewed while attachment member440 is still coupled with interior portion 421 of packet 420. When thetea is brewed the tea preparer can grasp attachment member extension 446and draw attachment member 440 through the packet insertion point 424,which may be done without tearing away a portion of packet 420. Thisaction pulls pouch 430 back inside of packet 420. As a result, usedpouch 430 is conveniently stored, and the preparer is not distractedwith a messy and unsightly used pouch 430. The preparer can even usepacket 420 to squeeze used pouch 430 to extract the last few drops ofelixir from pouch 430.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary infusion system 500 according to embodimentsof the present invention. Infusion system 500 includes a pouch 530 forholding a brewing material 532, a sealable or sealed packet 520 thathouses pouch 530, and an attachment member 540. A first section 542 ofattachment member 540 can be coupled with pouch 530, and a secondsection 544 of attachment member 540 can be coupled with an interiorportion 521 of packet 520. As shown here, second section 544 includes anattachment member extension 546 that is removably attached or slidablycoupled with seal line 523, and that extends through seal line 523 at apacket insertion point 524 to the outside of packet 520. Attachmentmember extension 546 can be disposed within a flap section 527 of packet520, such that attachment member 546 does not extend beyond theperipheral exterior boundary of packet 520, yet at the same time resideexterior to an interior sealed chamber 529 of packet 520.

In use, when a tea preparer wishes to remove pouch 530 from packet 520,she can tear packet 520 along a first tear line 526, and pull pouch 530out of packet 520 or otherwise allow pouch 530 to fall out of packet520. The tea preparer can then grasp packet 520, and dangle pouch 530into a container of water. The tea can be brewed while attachment member540 is still coupled with interior portion 521 of packet 520. When thetea is brewed the tea preparer can grasp attachment member extension 546and draw attachment member 540 through the packet insertion point 524.This may involve the preparer separating flap or pocket 527 so as toreach or access attachment member extension 546. In some embodiments,flap 527 is defined by portions of two opposing sides of a packet, wherethe portions are not sealed or adhered with one another. The drawingaction pulls pouch 530 back inside of packet 520. As a result, usedpouch 530 is conveniently stored, and the preparer is not distractedwith a messy and unsightly used pouch 530. The preparer can even usepacket 520 to squeeze used pouch 530 to extract the last few drops ofelixir from pouch 530.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary infusion system 600 according to embodimentsof the present invention. Infusion system 600 includes a pouch 630 forholding a brewing material 632, a sealable or sealed packet 620 thathouses pouch 630, and an attachment member 640. A first section 642 ofattachment member 640 can be coupled with pouch 630, and a secondsection 644 of attachment member 640 can be coupled with an interiorportion 621 of packet 620. As shown here, second section 644 includes anattachment member extension 646 that is removably attached with sealline 423 at a first packet insertion point 624 a and a second packetinsertion point 624 b, so as to form a loop 648 disposed outside ofpacket 620 or otherwise external to an interior packet chamber 629. Aninsertion point can be a place or location where an attachment memberpasses through a seal line.

In use, when a tea preparer wishes to remove pouch 630 from packet 620,she can tear packet 620 along a first tear line 626, and pull pouch 630out of packet 620 or otherwise allow pouch 630 to fall out of packet620. The tea preparer can then grasp packet 620, and dangle pouch 630into a container of water. The tea can be brewed while attachment member640 is still coupled with interior portion 621 of packet 620. When thetea is brewed the tea preparer can grasp attachment member extension 646and draw attachment member 640 through the packet insertion point 624.This action pulls pouch 630 back inside of packet 620. As a result, usedpouch 630 is conveniently stored, and the preparer is not distractedwith a messy and unsightly used pouch 630. The preparer can even usepacket 620 to squeeze used pouch 630 to extract the last few drops ofelixir from pouch 630.

Although certain preferred embodiments and methods have been disclosedherein, it will be apparent from the foregoing disclosure to thoseskilled in the art that variations, modifications, alternativeconstructions, and equivalents of such embodiments and methods may bemade without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.Therefore, the above description should not be taken as limiting thescope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims.

1. An infusion system for processing a brewing material, the systemcomprising: a pouch containing a brewing material; a packet releasablyhousing the pouch, the pouch having a first side and a second side; anattachment member coupled with the pouch; and a tag coupled with theattachment member, wherein the first side of the packet is sealed withthe second side of the packet via a seal line to provide a sealedinterior chamber, wherein an edge of the tag extends into the seal line,and wherein the tag does not extend beyond a peripheral exteriorboundary of the packet.
 2. The infusion system of claim 1, wherein thepacket comprises a detachable portion, and the tag is coupled with thepacket via the detachable portion.
 3. A method of using an infusionsystem, the method comprising: opening a packet of the infusion systemalong a first tear line to create a first tear opening; removing a pouchfrom inside of the packet through the first tear opening; placing thepouch into an infusion medium; tearing a tab from the packet along asecond tear line, wherein the tab is coupled with a tag via a seal line,and wherein the tag is coupled with the pouch via an attachment memberand does not extend beyond a peripheral exterior boundary of the packet;and pulling the tab to return the pouch inside of the packet.
 4. Amethod of constructing an infusion system, the method comprising:coupling a first section of an attachment member with a pouch; couplinga second section of the attachment member with a tag; placing the pouchand the attachment member between a first side of a packet and a secondside of the packet; and sealing the packet via a seal line, such thatthe pouch and the attachment member are contained within a sealedinterior chamber of the packet, and such that the tag extends into theseal line and does not extend beyond a peripheral exterior boundary ofthe packet.
 5. An infusion system for processing a brewing material, thesystem comprising: a pouch containing a brewing material; a packetreleasably housing the pouch, the pouch having a first side and a secondside; and an attachment member coupled with the pouch; wherein the firstside of the packet is sealed with the second side of the packet via aseal line to provide a sealed interior chamber, and a flap section thatis exterior to the sealed interior chamber, wherein the packet comprisesa first packet insertion point for receiving the attachment member, andwherein the attachment member has an attachment member extension that isdisposed within the flap section, that does not extend beyond aperipheral exterior boundary of the packet, and that resides exterior tothe sealed interior chamber.